Villagers concerns for new housing free-for-all

Families in Stoke Golding say any new development would double the contribution from the village to housing provision in the borough and pave the way for further estates on its fringes, destroying its character and the local countryside

Concerned villagers are battling latest plans to build homes on outlying fields - a bid they fear could open up a housing free-for-all.

Families in Stoke Golding say any new development would double the contribution from the village to housing provision in the borough and pave the way for further estates on its fringes, destroying its character and the local countryside.

Residents have been urged to submit objections to the application by Morris Homes for 75 properties off Hinckley Road.

A previous bid to build was rejected by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council planning committee members and their decision was upheld on appeal.

Now Morris is making a further attempt, basing their case on the council’s failure to provide sufficient allocation in the face of new Government expectations to tackle a housing shortfall.

Alerts have gone around to villagers highlighting the application, due to be determined next month, and warning if approved this could be the first of many.

Campaigner Roy Mitchell said: “For all planning applications the Government policy is for a presumption in favour of development. The borough council no longer has a five-year housing land supply available and this is likely to continue for some time.

“With no land supply available developers can submit applications to build anywhere. Landowners have already offered most of the fields adjacent to the edge of the village for development. This includes the fields along Hinckley Road, behind Station Road and Roseway and along Wykin Lane.

“If this application is approved the gates are opened for successive developments around the village. However there are a number of balancing factors which were used the last time an application was made for this site which are still relevant and last time we won. It is pressure from the community pointing out all the policy reasons why the application should be rejected that will count.”

Other local needs have been met by two new developments of 210 homes about a mile away plus the ongoing expansion of the Jelson estate.

Mr Mitchell said: “Having met our legal requirements there is no justification for additional housing to meet a wider need that would irrevocable change the nature of our community.”

Figures show since April 1 2009 322 completions from a total of 450 dwellings have been built in the urban area - 72% - compared to 128 completions in the rural area - 28%.

At the previous appeal the planning inspector said the intended distribution of new housing should reflect the urban focus of the core strategy with only 12% being directed to rural areas such as Stoke Golding.

In the fresh application Morris Homes argue new planning policies are in force, the borough council has not progressed long-term housing supply allocation and the development would retain and enhance important nature features.

The company also suggests the area is already earmarked as a ‘preferred option’ for development in the emerging borough site allocations.